A/N: And here's the next chapter! I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Dungeons and Dragons. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 7: Conversations
Barrik and I wandered through Rothe Valley, the humanoids of the land looking at me suspiciously. However, when they saw Barrik at my side they calmed slightly.
"Everyone here seems to highly respect you," I said.
"Well, that's what you get for being a war hero," said Barrik, "So, you're familiar with Baeshra?"
"Yes, he and the people of Riverpoint helped me by giving me a place to stay for a few years after I was… driven out," I said.
"So you've lived among humanoids for most of your life?" asked Barrik.
"I have," I said, "they were quite kind to me… much more so than my own kin".
"Oh? Why is that?" asked Barrik.
"I guess I'll have to get used to explaining this frequently," I said, "But long story short, I was weaker than my clutchmates, and they drove me out".
"Ah, say no more," said Barrik, "So, Riverpoint, huh?"
"Indeed," I said, "I nearly ended up in some madman's menagerie before I was rescued by a kindly Gnome Wizard named Quoros. Baeshra was living in the same village. He healed the injuries my siblings inflicted upon me. He also watched over me whenever I went out to hunt in the forest".
"Well, good to hear my old friend is doing well," said Barrik, "so, where are you planning on going next?"
"In all honestly, I've got no idea," I said, "would you perhaps know of any tasks that could done by one of my… particular talents?"
"You're looking for work?" asked Barrik.
"Well, what else am I supposed to do?" I said, "It's not like I can simply keep wandering around aimlessly".
"I have heard rumors of a group on necromancers gathering in forests east of the Greypeak Mountains," said Barrik, "don't know much more, but it would be good to at least scout out what they're doing".
I mentally checked what I'd seen on the map. Even if I pushed myself hard, the journey would take nearly 11 days.
"I accept," I said, "I'll be on my way soon. Though, it might be some time before I return".
"In that case, I wish a safe journey upon you," said Barrik, "I'm certain that others will have heard about theses rumors. Be careful out there: many will not trust you, but do not let them break your spirit".
"I'll do what I can," I said, "thank you once more".
I took to the skies, climbing higher until I could clear the mountains. I flew southeast, passing over forests and streams. I continued along, stopping to rest when needed. Eventually, the massive High Forest spread before me, with the Star Mounts at its heart. I thought about resting at the mountain, but something at them back of my mind told me to keep flying. After the lengthy 11 day flight, I arrived at the Greypeak Mountains. Upon reaching the mountains, I found an unoccupied cave and laid down to rest.
The next morning, I took to the skies once more. I flew down the eastern slopes, and started into the forest. My years living and hunting in the forests around Riverpoint allowed me to move through this forest quietly. As I continued, I heard voices through the trees, and spotted a group of humanoids moving through the forest. They appeared to be here the same reason as myself. However, I didn't know how they'd react to my presence, so I stayed back.
I continued deeper into the forest, and soon felt something on the edge of my perception… almost like a strange odor I recognized from Quoros' home: arcane magic. I followed the trail of this magic, and soon came upon a clearing. In the center I saw a small group of humanoids gathered and chanting in a strange language. In between them, there was a body which they appeared to be casting their magic over. I moved up cautiously, avoiding detection. However, from another side of the clearing I heard a loud snap.
"Intruders!" said one of the mages, "more subjects for our research!"
The mages immediately started casing spells towards the source of the sound, as the group of adventurers began to fight back. I joined the battle as well, charging in to take a swipe at one of the mages. However, my foe saw me at the last moment and dodged away, causing me to only catch his robes.
"What in the Nine Hells!?" said the mage.
The mage quickly cast his hand towards me, and managed to catch me with a lightning spell. I snarled as the magic coursed through me, and I took a step back. I unleashed my fire, but I was still off balance from my foe's attack. As a result, I only managed to catch one of them fully. By this time, the adventurers had joined the fray, leading to a confusing tangle. An arrow sprouted from the chest of the mage I'd hit the hardest, taking him down. I spotted a figure in hide armor drawing power, and then unleashed it at a thorny vine, pulling one of the mages aside. A man in heavy armor rushed in, and slashed at one of the mages, but tripped and ended up colliding with me. I saw a bronze-scaled Dragonborn calling upon his own magic, and then fired it off as trio of magic missiles. One struck each of the mages, taking down a second foe.
"You will fall for disrupting our ritual, Wyrm!" said one of the remaining mages, though his voice shook, "then we will bring you back as our servant".
He cast a spell in my direction, but this time I was ready. I steeled myself, and the spell, resembling a skeletal hand splashed uselessly against my hide. The other remaining mage cast his hands forwards, releasing a small orb of energy. For a moment, nothing happened, but then with a loud crash the orb shattered, the powerful reverberations assaulting both me and the fighter next to me. We both braced ourselves, gritting our teeth as the raw power of the sound washed over us, but we both weathered it. I leapt forwards with a roar, tearing into the mage who'd just blasted me with his spell. He swiftly fell under my claws. The archer drew back his bow once more, and fired into the last remaining mage, taking him down.
As the dust settled, the fighter stepped back, blade at the ready while his companions slowly approached. They were a mixed group, consisting of a Human, a Dragonborn, an Elf, and a humanoid with an odd radiance behind his eyes, an Aasimar, I believe they were called. I had no quarrel with these humanoids, and so started limping away to lick my wounds.
"Wait!" said the Dragonborn, "what are you doing here?"
I turned back to the adventurers, my ears still ringing from the Shatter spell.
"I heard rumors of a small group of necromancers gathering in the area," I said, "I sought to investigate at the behest of an acquaintance".
"Do you… live near here?" asked the Aasimar ranger.
"No," I said, "I am… traveling, I suppose. What of yourselves?"
"Why do you wish to know?" asked the fighter.
"I simply wish to know of those I fought beside," I said.
"How can we know we can trust you?" said the Dragonborn.
"Your caution is understandable… many like myself would not be willing to speak to you. However, the circumstances of my life have granted me a perspective many other lack," I said, "I find I enjoy the company of humanoids".
"But why did you help us?" asked the Elven druid.
"Why wouldn't I?" I countered, "We both seem to have come here for the same purpose, so it only makes sense for me to aid you. Besides, I wanted to".
"Well then… thank you," said the Elven Druid, "you took a pretty bad hit from the last spell. Would you like me to heal you?"
"I would appreciate it," I said.
The druid stepped closer, and cast her healing spell. The pleasant warmth of the magic flowed through me, repairing the damage. She them stepped back, apparently pleased by her work.
"Thank you," I said, "I have great respect for those of the Green Faith".
"Why is that?" asked the druid.
"Because they have showed me kindness in the past," I said, "however, I've kept you long enough. I should be on my way… I've got a long flight ahead of me".
"Wait, perhaps you could travel with us?" said the dragonborn, "you seem different than most Chromatics. People might be less likely to seek to harm you if you're traveling with us".
I thought about the idea briefly. He did have a point… while people would likely still be leery of me, if I was traveling in the company of humanoids, they might be less afraid.
"I think I'd like that," I said, "I am Valignatirisk, well met".
"Charles Olson," said the fighter.
"I am Krisyra," said the druid.
"Call me Lydratir," said the ranger.
"Narcrath of Clan Argas," said the Dragonborn, "I'm guessing you have quite the story, redscale".
"Well, we can hear it once we reach camp," said Charles, "let's go".
I followed my apparent new companions through the forest, wondering where this encounter might lead.
A/N: And there we go! The decision has been made, the party is formed! Next time: our heroes return to camp, their new companion in tow. Yjrtr' they will share their pasts with each other. See you then!